Hepatoprotective Efficacy of Phytochemically Screened <i>Nyctanthes arbor-tristis</i>

Abstract

The Oleaceae plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linnaeus is used in Ayurveda medicine as a laxative, diuretic, and for the treatment of a variety of painful conditions including sciatica, arthritis, and fever. This study aimed to determine whether or not extracts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leaves, either in alcohol or water, might prevent liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride in rats. Administration of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis protects the liver against the toxicity of carbon tetrachloride by lowering the high levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and serum bilirubin (total and direct). Both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts demonstrated hepatoprotective efficacy at a dosage of 500 mg/kg body weight by significantly reducing the high levels of biochemical markers. Liver histopathology studies corroborated the extracts’ potential to restore damaged hepatocytes.